DOW-UAP-D017, UAP-Meldungen am Sandia-Stützpunkt, 1948–1950

[PAGE 1] thf seria I LI HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT 1100TH USAF SPECIAL REPORTING GROUP Campbell Air Force Base Camp Campbell Kentucky 333 April 1949 SUBJECT Security Inspection Commanding General Sandia Base Albuquerque New Mexico gia Reference is made to secret letter your headquarters dated April 1949 Subject Security Inspection Guard Orders have been amended directing that the elec- tric gate be closed between 1700 hours until 0700 hours the following day be Locks have replaced the bolts in all inspection access gates in the outer fence ee Inspection ports on both bridges are now provided with lockse de The final draft of our alert plan has been reviewed and will be published and distributed for stuiy to operating personnel It is desired to point out that the alert plan is incomplete A stockpile custodian has not been assigned here his part in the alert plan has been outlined only Furthermore since the 11th Airborne Division is not in place yet only temporary arrangements for defense have been made Final form of the overall alert plan will be sub- mitted to your headquarters for approval as soon as conditions will allow In the interim period it is felt that the temporary alert plan we have prepared is adequate A copy of this plen will be dis- patched to your headquarters in the near future ee All jeep radios are now installed in jeeps Although not entirely satisfactory radio commmication with the Camp Campbell Military Police has been in effect for some- time and was in effect at the time of the Security inspection Per- manent arrengements for radio communication with Camp Campbell Military Police are delayed pending the arrival of radio frequency crystals that fit the Military Police net frequency os NND 58378 SHOR tL MMYALy G62 [PAGE 2] April 1949 SUBJECTs Security Inspection Cont'd ge Pressure has been exerted to get the Pest Ingineers to keep the drainage system clear and to take measures to check the ero- sione These efforts will be continued but little progress on erosion control can be expected until the rains diminish Ditches have been filled dirt moved and replaced native grasses planted but the rains return too soon and much of the effort invested is therefore wasted Plens are prepared for an interim erosin control effort and a study is being made to estimate the cost of resloping the cuts in order that the rainfall may be drained with less damaging results Initial estimates rum in the neighborhood of twenty thousand dollars $20,000.00 With the exception of halting the erosion all deficiencies listed in the security inspection report have been cleared away It is therefore requested that the monthly report of action taken re- quired by cited letter be discontinued RICHARD KLINE Lt Col USAF Commanding A NND 58378 [PAGE 3] HEADQUARTERS SANDIA BASE Albuquerque New Mexico AFSWP CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS LIBRARY 1a49 FILE NO 222.2 susueoT deaths ting OEE DH -SEGRET- NND 58378 [PAGE 4] sa Dw Chie i RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION NeW ME fF MINES SOCORRC NEW MEXICO 10 Angust 1949 Dr Lincoln LePaz Institute of Meteoritics University of New Mexico Albuquerque Ne Dear lincoln I am inclosing two copies of the report you asked for and hope that they serve their purpose We have made a preliminary examination of the eighteen collections taken at nine locations on my Monday-Tuesday trip There was a large number of copper=bearing particles on one collection R-104L talen on Highway 84 seventeen miles north of Highway 66 and scattered occase ional particles throughout the series The collection taken at the samo location immediately following R-104L shows practically no copper A large part of the R-104L is of a granular material unfamiliar to us and the copper indications originate principally in what are apparently agerecationa of finely one-micron granular material of overall sizes in the neighborhood of thirty microns ‘Some copper partizles howe ever appear to be solid and opaque The passage of two automobiles while this collection was being made is a complicating factor It is hard to see how they might have been a source of copper however unless it was a question of stirring up some from dust on the pavement We intend to do some further chemical work with these collections but I doubt if much new relevant information will be obtained My tentative conclusion is that no widespread significant dispersion of copper=bearing particles was present in the atmosphere in the rezion covered at the time the collections were made No definite statement is possible about the one heavy copper collections it should be presuned to be of local origin until some evidence to the contrary is found The route of the collecting trip included Pastura Senta Rosa junc- tion of Routes 66 and 84 ond Las Vegas on Monday afternoon On Tuesdey morning it ineluded las Vegas Canoncito Glorieta and Pecos Yours very truly WeDe Crozier woo Tw attachments [PAGE 5] AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT ARBORNE PMTICLES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIREBALL OF JULY 24 1949 By to De Crozier and Ben Seely MEXICO SCHOOL OF MIN A fireball was reported to have passed over the general neighborhood of Socorro New Mexico at S26 pem July 24 1949 Impactment equipment developed in connection with the aerosol research project of the New Mexico School of Mines was available and it was decided to make systematic collections of airborne mater- ial in the hope of obtaining material that could be associated with the fireball Por the present report it is sufficient to state that the equipment processed air at the rate of about 34 liters per minute the particles being separated from the air by impactment against an adhesive-coated plate in an air jet Approximately ninety per cent of airborne particles with diameters greater than one micron are eollected The adhesive used on the collecting plates microscope slides was a glycerin- gelatin mixture with an addition of rubeanic acid dithiooxamide This reagent was used to enable identification of copper or copper compounds it also enables identification of nickel and cobalt After making the collections the slides were covered with a Saran film after which they were exposed to strong ammonia vapor for fifteen minutes to effect partial solution of any copper or copper oxide parti- cles RESULT The first collection was maie at 10:00 aem July 25 about thirteen and one- helf hours after the fireball was seen The air was taken about twelve feet above ground level on the campus of the School of Mines The first run was for three min+- utes processing about 102 liters of air Several large particles were found in it that save positive copper tests In at least one of these the peed reaction was seen before the aumonia treatment indicating the presence of at least a trace of a Soluble copper compound The sizes of particles seen in the first collections ranged up to over one hundred microns in the largest dimensions the largest particles gave the impression of being fragments of a somewhat fibrous materi al with the smaller NND 58378 [PAGE 6] dimension of the order of twenty or thirty microns There were no small particles hat is no particles with a maximum dimension below 15 microns Page Following the first collection additional collections were made under simi- lar conditions over a period of eight days The accompanying table summarizes the conditions and copper counts for all these collections including the first one described above A number of the runs were for periods longer than three minutes but the counts have in these cases been reduced to the threeeminute equivalent One collection showing sevoral larce copper indications teken July 25 is ommitted from the table because it was damaged in course of a test for radioactivity by exposure of a nuwelear track plate with negative results and a definite count comld not be made The counts are exhibited in three size classifications and attention is directed to the fact that particles in the smallest size group te 15 microns are practically absont from the carly collections wile in the later collections particles in the largest 30 microns and middle to 30 microns groups have become quite scarce At the same tine the counts have become quite large in the SUallest size group SIGNIFICANCE 03 If it were possible to say that particles giving a copper test are cenerally yery rare in collections near ground level in this locality the above facts wuld be highly significant It happens however that collections have becn made at Socorro over only a short period and not much attention has been given to identi- fication of copper compounds However after the copper indications had been found in the present series of collections some collections were found on file that hadi been made on plain glycerin-celatin on July 14 1949 These were covered with the Saren film and rubeanic acid and ammonia were applied by diffusion through the film few copper indications were found almost all the particles being in the 30 micron size group Some other collections were made early in July that will be examined for copper when they are freed from other tests In addition occasional collections will be examined for copper in the future end it may be possible eventually to add something to the information now presented CONCLUSZTONS I I i COPPER in view of the sbove facts it seems very hazardous to drew any definite con- clusion associating the copper-bearing particles collected with the fireball of July 24 There still is ever a residuum of possiblity of such associations when it is considered th et particles of the smallest size group aid not appear in large numbers until some 35 hours after the passage of the fireball ppc oe NND 58378 [PAGE 7] Counts of During Perioa@ July 25 to August 1949 Redused to Particles per 102 Liters of Air Copper Particiss in Collections at Socorro Collec,Time Date Hour Blapsed time Wina Direction knots Gopper Counts i-<i5 15 30 30 Mieron Micron Microns Range Range 7-25 10 Al 10 Ai 9330 A a 13.5 13.5 17.5 3565 41,5 NN [PAGE 8] Page Attention is called particularly to the large number of small particles in one of the 145-1/2-hour collections The actual number in the collection was 140 for the five-minute rune Most of these were in the size range of two to five microns and the principal difficulty in associating them with the fireball is that a fivee micron particle cannot fall much more than 10,000 feet in 145.5 hours These parti- eles could have come down from a greater heizht only if some downward motion had taken place in part of the air involved It should be mentioned that collections were taken during the afternoon of July 27 at several points south and east of Socorro tho farthest being near Binghan These collections emtained particles giving copper indications the particles being in the Same range of sizes as those collected in Socorro at about the same time It is perhaps noteworthy that the copperebearing particles in all these collec- tions were of opaque material Most of the copper minerals that heve previously come to our attention in collections from the air have been colored material blue ereen red or yellow COBALT AND In the 2:00 pem collection of July 26 three quite remarkable particles were found that gave very strong cobalt indications The particles were apparently per- fect spheres at least they were perfectly circular in cross section twelve mic- rons in diameter The reaction with rubeanie acid after ammonie treatment pro- duced a dense yellow-tem halo sixty microns in diameter The color was not quite so clear es with pure cobalt the appearance suggesting a hich=cobalt composition with some metal present Such particles are quite uniaue in the experience of the presente If these particles were of meteoritic origin they cmld in the absence of vertical air movement have fallen a distance of the order of 20,000 feet in an interval of 41.5 hours Two particles giving nickel indications were found ‘This is quite normal how- ever If anything the number is smaller than micht have been expected in material of surface origin The collections were not given acid treatment additional nickel indications might have been found if this had been done ESTION While the results of the present investigation should be regarded as neczative or inconclusive it is desired to call attention to the fact that a means is at hand that should make possible a definite demonstration of the presente or absence of cop per perticles associated with events of the July 24th type Farticle collection equipment operating on the same principle as that used in the mesent- investigation and designed for airplene installation is on hand and its successful operation has been demonstrated in numerous slights Provision NND 58378 [PAGE 9] page could easily be made for quickly mounting this equipment in om airplane capable of ascending above the 40,000-foot level which could teke off soon after an event of the July 24th kind and fly a pattern that would includ ith reasonable certainty some of the material originating at the neteor trajectory A quick approximate determination of the trajectory would be required of course and if winds aloft were of considerable strength it would be necessary to make due allowance for them in planning the flicht ADDED ON AUGUST 10 1949 this report was being shed attempt was rep at an airplane collection following the event i I seting wan installed in a B-25 from Kirtland Field and ernoc gust flight was made which was hoped micht intercept some of the meteoritic material nterval of 41 ho had passed before the take-off and the maxinw a was 23,000 fe rough attempt was made to include air that trajectory but es of several hundred miles were invol ications were obtained but they seemed definitely to be associate with of surface origin No “nhexe el or eobalt indications were found nm ‘elabor- raed tear which may require more upper air data than is available should be made before it is decided whether or not the flight did actually inelude air that should have borne particles from the meteor trajectory [PAGE 10] fugust 17 1949 TO Colonel Doyle Rees FROMs Lincoln LaPag SUBJECTs Anomalous Luminous Phenomena Sixth Report(attompts to collect volatili+ gation products from green fireballs In an earlier report it has been pointed out that in spite of air and ground searchs in early February along the well determined carth-trace of the greon fireball of 1949 January 30th no fragments of this fireball were recovered There remained the possibility that this fireball hai been so completely volatilized during flight that only fine dust from it filtered down thru the atmosphere Since for several reasons it seemed more probable that such dust would consist chiefly of copper or a copper alloy rather than of the ferro- magnetic substances found for ordinary meteorites the methods habitually employed by meteoriticists for the collection of “cosmic dust” separation of the dust from the air by use of electromagnets or permanent magnets would not be appropri- ate for use in connection with the green fireballs It was therefore decided to enlist the aid of Dr William Crozier vho was know to have developed a novel impactment dust collector for use on the Aerosol Project of the New Mexico School of Mines The writer hed been closely associated in 1943-44 with Dr Crozier at New Mexico Proving Grounds while wrking on saboted ani proximity fused shells and knew that he had satisfactory clearance Dr Crogier not only agreed to partici- pate in a ground-level search for dust possibly put down by the fireball of Jan- uaery 30th but made the valuable suzcestion that dust collections be made on plane flights routed back ani forth at hich altitudes throuch the air beneath green fireball paths as soon as possible after fireball fall in this manner contani- nation of the dust collections by terrestrial particles wuld be reduced to a minimum No imnediate application was made of Dr Crozier’s dust collection techniques in part because of the writer's return to full time academic work at the UM on Febru:ry Sth and in part because of Dr Crozier'’s other research ectivities and the interruptions in Research andi Development Division wrk inci- dent to the A.E.0.’s taking over the Albuquerque quarters of the Division When it was determined that the green tireball of July 24th haf descended in the immediate vicinity of Socorro it was decided to ask Dr Crozier to attempt collections even though he and his staff were then engaged in the final stages of moving from Albuquerque to their new quarters on the Campus of the New Mexico Sehool of Mines A long distance call to Dre Crozier on July 26th brought the Welcome news that he hed been alerted by an appeal for observations issued by the Institute of Meteoritics on the evening of July 24th and had already made dust collections on the ¢ampus at Socorro on the morning of July 25 These collections to Dr Crozier's evident surprise were found to contain not only the first copper particles he had found.in air dust collections but these particles were of unusually large size up to 100 microns in maximum dimensions On receipt of this exciting information a party was dispatched from 17th District 0.S.I Hdgqs to confer with Dr Grozier and to.mike a field search for the fireball of July 24th This party consisted of Major Charles Phillips courteously made available for the trip by Colonel Harold A Gunn of Kirtland Field Mr Paul Taft of the U.S Weather Bureau in Albuquerque Jack Boling and the undersigned A conference wth Dr Grogzier and Mr Ben Seely wes held on the School of Mines campus in Socorro between Li fe Sew ems Ya NA Bos NND 58378 [PAGE 11] ers Yad Bese Sad BD Paes 10:00 12300 A.M on July 26th At this sonference it became apparent that Dr Crozier was inclined to attribute the unusually large copper fragments collected on July 25 at 10:00 A.M which because of their size could not have been blow very far by surface winds to particles blown off the roof or out of the gutters of the Assaying Building on the Campus In answer to a question from the writer Dr Crozier replied that he would consider this possibility ruled out if copper particles showed up in collections made in the open country at considerable distances fron the Campus It was therefore recomended that such collections be made and Dr Crozier and Mr Seely rigged up a storage battery combination and amall D.C motor driven impactment collector which were loaded into the 0.8.1 staff car and driven out through San Antonio Carthage and Bingham New Mexico this route passing in Mr Taft's opinion through the region where particles from the fireball of July 24th would most probably have been carried by the very light winds prevailing in the region since the inci+- dent Four of the collections made on this trip were examined on the evening of July 26th by Mr Ben Seely and all were found to contain copper particles indistinguishable from those collected in Socorro at about the same time Full details on the methods of collection employed by Dr Crogier and Mr Seely and on later examinations of the dust particles collected after the eveen fireballs of both July 24th and August 6th are given in Dr Grozier's report B/D tw 8-10-49 copies of which are hereto appended Dr Crozier's tentative conclusion from study of the collections made,not only in connection with the incident of July 24th but also that of August 6th is that “the results of the present investigation should be regarded as negative or inconclusive From analysis of his report B/D tw 8-10-49 and from several phone conver- sations with Dr Crozier it is the writers belief that Dr Crozier was led to the above conclusion by the following facts listed below in decreasing order of importance amd accompanied by critical comments 5-1 The discovery by tests made on or about august of a few co ndications® in dust collected at orre on 14 1949 i.e ten days before the fireball incident of 24th Dr Crozier has informed the writer that the collection of July 14th was carefully wrapped up and could not have become contaminated by copped dust which blew in throuch the open wine dows of the R.D Building at Socorro after the incident of July 24th Howe ever there remains the possibility that an unobserved or wnreported green fire- ball oceurring in the Socorro neighborhood shortly before July 14th put down the copper dust found in the July 14th collection To one familiar with the almost uninhabited country around Socorro ma the fact that green fireballs as bright as the half moon occurring at times as favorable for observation as 7:30 8:30 P.M have gone almost unreported it seems quite likely that a green fireball thet fell after midnight or during the daytime or while most of the sky was overcast might go entirely unreported 3-8 Phe discrepancy between the computed ani observed rates of Sescent of yery fine copper particles As Dr Crozier notes such discrepan- eies are understandable if some downward motion had taken place in part of the air involved Precisely such downward motion occurred in the air near the real paths of the fireballs of July 24th and Auzust 6th for these falls were nearly vertical Furthermore the best observations of the endpoints of these fireballs place that of July 24th at a hight of i6<i2 miles and that of August 6th at 5-6 miles The downward directed ballistic head wave therefore could very easily have carried Dr Crogier*s 145 hour particles to within 10,000 fect of the earth at [PAGE 12] the time of fall Since we cannot assume complete stagnation of the air masses in the Socorro neighborhood for 145 hours it must be supposed that such air motions as occurred were approximately compensating and resulted in the return of Dr Crozier's tiny “five-micron particles to the Socorro neighborhood in approximately 145 hours Only a detailed study of air mass motiors for the time interval involved can settle this point 363 The long contimed aranee of xz particles however as Dr Crozier emphasizes smaller and smaller in size in the Socorro collections Precisely such a decrease in particle size has repeatedly been observed in connection with dust collections believed to be of meteoritic origin and is attrib- uted to the slower and slower rate of descent of the particles as their average size decreases Thus Rudaux’s results strongly indicate that particles from the Giacobinid shower of 1933 October filtered down in smaller and smaller sizes for 100 hours or more Furthermore for the green fireballs of July 24th and August 6th the nearly vertical real paths extended from altitudes of 100 miles or more down almost to ground level and therefore optimum conditions for long continued infall of dust particles were approached in these falls 3e4 Failure of the airplane collection of August 8th to detect aire borne copper particles definitely not of terrestrial origin However the airplane collections were all made at great distances hundreds of miles from the Vaughn region in which the fireball of Aucust 6th fell and as Dr Crogicr points out at the moment it can not be determined “whether or not the flight aia actually include air that should have barne particles fron mteor trajectory.” In this connection the results alluded to in paragraph below may be of considerable significance the time the airplane collection of August 8th was planned the writer recommended not only that the flight traverse the area from Vaughn northward to Raton and then Ni-ward into the Durango Colorado region a recommendation based on advice received from Mr Paul Taft of the U.S Weather Buream but also that simultaneously a ground search with the portable impactmont dust collecting equip- ment rigged up on July 27th be run from Vaughn through Pastura to Santa Rosa The Latter part of this recommendation was followed by Dr Crozier who reported on the results obtained in his letter to me under date of August 10 copies of which are hereto attached Dr Crozicr'’s letter makes clear that ground collece- tions in the subfinal regions of the fireballs of both August 6th and July 24th resulted in the detection of unusual aggregations of copper particles Apparently the copper particle ageregate obtained in collection 1041 within the subfinal region of the August 6th fall was the only such ageregete fond in Dr Crozier*s lenghty ground search of August 8-9 It seems particularly significent to the writer that Dr Crozier suspects that the copper dust found in this particular collection Rel may have been stirred up from the pavement on Highway 84 a likely catclmient surface for dust put down by the green fireball of August 6th in view of the information given me by Mr Taft in regard to the wind direction prevailing during the hours immediately following this incident 5)9 In spite of the critical comments made in paragraphs and above the writer has no quarrel with Dr Crozier’s conclusion that the results so far obtained in the investigation of volatilization producta possibie put down by the green fireballs are negative or at best inconclusive However I do wish to stress most emphatically that if future more detailed work shows that the numer- ous copper particles found by Dr Crozier and Mr Seely are indeed floating down ea Liss acd NND 58378 [PAGE 13] oY ee eee ie i from green fireballs then the fireballs are not conventional meteorites Copper is one of the rarest of the elements found in meteorites See G.P Merrill Memoirs National Acad of Science vol 14 1925 Table facing 273 and Harrison Brown Journal of Geology vol 56 March 1948 Table 87 In fact I know of no case in which even the tiniest particle of copper has been reported in a dust collection supposedly of meteoritie orizin In view of present concern in regard to the true nature of the green fireballs nothing could exceed in importance attainment of a definite conslusion in regard to the origin of the copper particles detected in the eubfinal regions of the fireballs of July 24th and August 6th The writer therefore wishes to make the following recommendations 6.1 ‘That arrangements be made for dust colleetions on airplane flights at altitudes of 40,000 ft or more through the region of the atmosphere lying beneath the real paths of green fireballs as soon as possible after the occurrence of such fireball incidents Such errangements presuppose a well coordinated observing network permitting the speediest possible determination of the location of the real paths in the atmosphere Dr Grozier and Mr Seely have both agreed to cooperate in carrying out dust collection at the highest altitudes attainable In Dr Crogier’s opinion a Be36 or Be50 should be made available far such work 6.2 ‘That ground-level dust collections be made along the well deter- mined earth-trace of the green fireball of January 30th using the portable impact- ment equipment already rigged up by Dr Crozier and Mr Seely and wed in the cround searches of July 27th and August 8-S9th if copper particles can be recovered along this earth-trace but do not appear in collections made 50 miles or so away from the trace the result would be of much significamce if not indeed decisive an teen eed EL NND 58378 [PAGE 14] Ld HEADQUARTERS SANDIA BASE i REFER TO FiLe No a i ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO SUBJECT Board to Inspect Special Weapons Facilities at Strategic Air Command Stations Commanding General Strategic Air Command Offutt Air Force Base Omaha Nebraska Reference is made to Top Secret letter your Headquarters subject ‘"Special Weapons Training Facilities at Strategic Air Command Stations dated 29 November 1949 Short Title B-3000 which proposed an inspection tour of Strategic Air Command stations to determine adequacy of station plans for Special Weapons training facilities and recommend a priority and time schedule for Special Weapons Unit assignment to Strategic Air Command stations This Headquarters concurs in the basic objectives of the proposed board and its general plan of action Capt Barnes will represent the Plans and Operations Division of this Headquarters and Lt Col Olson Commanding Officer of the 515th Aviation Squadron will represent the 8460th Special Weapons Group It is not possible at this time to comply with your suggestion that the 8460th Special Weapons Group be represented by the Commanding Officer of the Special Weapons Unit scheduled for assignment to the station being inspected It is recommended that the work of this board be supplemented by a similar board to visit the station con- cerned about thirty 30 days prior to movement of a Special Weapons Unit to that station This second board could then verify the rate of progress of facilities preparation and the adequacy of the plans at that time and solve many of the administrative problems inherent in the transfer of RS BAR Bblk [PAGE 15] Board to Inspect Special Weapons Facilities at Strategic Air Command Stations any unit to another command and station that this second board be empowered to recommend readjust- ment of movement schedule as circumstances indicate Subj It is suggested FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER BL GUINN LCDR US Executive Offj>-« Distribution la&?a addressee [PAGE 16] NND 58378 [PAGE 17] B/L from Sandia Base to SAC dtd Dec 49 subj Board to Inspect Special Weapons Facilities at SAC Stations SAC 353 Dee 49 lst Ind DO2C ATR COMMAND Offutt Air Force Base Omaha Nebraska 49 anding General Sandia Base Post Office Box 5100 Albuquerque Yew Mexico eadquarters concurs in general with basic communica- tion Reference paragraphs and basic communication inspection board has completed inspections Reference paragraph basic communication this headquarters is directing the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces to designate personnel from units concerned to inspect aviation squadron facilities immediately upon receipt of notification from this headquarters Notification will be in the form of an information copy of Strategic Air Command request for movement of aviation squadrons Your headquarters will receive a eopy of subject requests Inspection will be completed no later than fifteen 15 days after receipt of notification Your command will be requested to furnish personnel for inspection teams FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL Inel Cy of ltr fm SAC to 15 AF MONTGOMERY Brigadier General USAF he Director of Operations NND 58378 [PAGE 18] NND 58378 [PAGE 19] HEADQUARTERS STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE OMAHA NEBRASKA NND 58378 [PAGE 20] ST Jf ial DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WASHINGTON THE INSPECTOR GENERAL USAF 1774 DISTRICT OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS KIRTLAND AIR FORGE BASE NEW MEXICO DR/ms 24-8)-28 25 May 1950 Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area December 1948 liay 1950 Brigadier General Joseph Carroll Director of Special Investi Headquarters USAF Washington 25 le In a liaison meeting with other military and government intel ligence and investigative agencies in December 1948 it was determined that the frequency of unexplained aerial phenomena in the New Mexico area was such that an organized plan of reporting these observations should be undertaken The organization and physical location of units of this Dis- trict were most suitable for collecting these data therefore since December 1948 this District has assumed the responsibility for collect- ing and reporting basic information with respect to aerial phenomena occurring in this general area These reports have been distributed to the Air Materiel Conmand USAF in accordence with Air Intelligence Requirements No and to other interested military and government agencies There is attached as a part of this summary a compilation of aerial phenomena sightings that have occurred mostly in the New Mexico area and have been reported by this District Office subsequent to December 1948 This compilation of sightings is not a complete record of all reported observations but includes only those in which sufficient information was available to justify their inclusion The observers of these phenomena include scientists Special Agents of the Office of Special Investigations IG USAF airline pilots military pilots Los Alamos Security Inspectors military personnel and many other persons of various occupations whose reliability is not questioned This com- pilation sets forth the most important characteristics with respect to each observation and evaluates each sighting into one of three classifi- cations green fireball phenomenon disc or variation and probably meteoric There is also attached an analysis of the green fireball occurrences in this area made by Dr Lincoln LePaz Dr LaPaz is the [PAGE 21] File No 24-8)-28 Subj Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area December 1948 May 1950 25 May 1950 Director of the Institute of Meteoritics and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of New Moxico He was Ree search Mathematician at the New Mexico Proving Grounds under ah OSRD appointment in 1943 and 1944 and Technical Director of the Operations Analysis Section Headquarters Second Air Force 1944-45 Since 1948 Dr LaPaz has served on a voluntary basis as consultant for this Dis- trict in connection with the green fireball investigations On 17 February 1949 and again on 14 October 1949 conferences were held at Los Alamos New lMexico for the purpose of discussing the green fireball phenomena Representatives of the following organizations were present at these meetings Fourth Army Armed Forces Special Wea- pons Project University of New Moxico Federal Bureau of Investigation Atomic Energy Commission University of California Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Geophysical Research Division Air Materiel Commend USAF and the Office of Special Investigations IG USAF A logical explanation was not proffered with respect to the origin of tho green fireballs It was however generally concluded that tho pheno- mena existed and that they should be studied scientifically wmtil these occurrences have been satisfactorily explained Further that tho continued occurrence of unexplained phenomena of this nature in the vicinity of sensitivo installations is cause for concern ‘The Geophysical Roscarch Division Air Matericl Command Cambridge Massachusetts has recently let a contract to Lland-Air Ince Holloman AFB Alamogordo New Mexico for a limited scientific study of green fireballs The results of this sciontific approach to the problem will undoubtedly be of great value in determining tho origin of these phenomen&ie This summary of observations of aerial phenomena has been prepared for the purpose of re-emphasizing and reitereting the fact that phenomena have continuously occurred in the New Moxico skies during the past 18 months and are continuing to occur and secondly that these phenomena are occurring in the vicinity of sensitive mili- tary and government installations Incls Summary of Sightings Photo of Sighting No 175 w/comments Ltr fr Dr LaPaz to Lt Col Rees dtd 23 May 50 Graph indicating maximums NW 91526 [PAGE 22] File No 24-8)-28 Subj Summary of Observations of Aerial Fhenomena in the New Mexico Area December 1948 May 1950 25 May 1950 DISTRIBUTION cys Director of Special Investigations Headquarters USAF Des cy CG Special Weapons Command Kirtland AFB New Mexico cy CG Armed Services Special Weapons Project Sandia Base New Mexico ATIN varters,_Lourth—Army-;—F++—Sem—Hovston;—Texes ATTI+—A0—of-S,-G-2— cy CO Holloman AFB New Mexico Lcy,-60;—+ir—Foree-Canbridge-Research—Laboratories;-Cambridge;—lest cy Director Security Division Atomic Energy Commission Los Alamos New Mexico ATIN Mr Yells cy Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Texas cy Federal Bureau of Investigation Albuquerque New Mexico lcy,—Air Force Scientific ravisory Board Pentegon—Buiiding- cy File NW 91526 [PAGE 23] nce ecurre co Albuquer- New lexico vertical er ion waluas luni- EL reflec- Stationary at times Dvelue’ on of Ovservers Green Fireball Unlmown Aeliability Probable Meteor Extingui- shed [PAGE 24] PLE above 00 Horizontal Descen slow Rapid rate of speed AKICIDONITLAL NW 91526 Trim a at Sa [PAGE 25] arti Ve pparen nitude 979 44 16U vO Gie appeared thorizon Blower than Disappeared Fay ee falling ereenish star iflash to 6000 Jan ‘1730 115001 ight i pp faster Disappeared None mountainous horizon i NW 91526 [PAGE 26] bude i Bioun iMoving islowly 30 Jan iA Alamogo wal rdo exico 50 Jan tationary en fell slicht i slight curve to i NW 91526 [PAGE 27] lorizontal NW 91526 [PAGE 28] Sunmary Le ee askotballi fixed iflash oped vertically to ground NW 91526 [PAGE 29] Slower thar sappeared twin-en- sehind trees NW 91526 [PAGE 30] ae ss rhea ti THe ia at es aie rl Fi ras iS ss fenroute ifr Henol i aded out distance 1/6 dia- ith- about length [PAGE 31] Sumaary gt gee a Disappeared behind mo- untain Moving islowly NW 91526 [PAGE 32] Reliability Observers’ tof Area of op Tp OL a ight 14 orizontal to Vertical pservation Apparent 20° above ihorizon heout 30° ray- iish parent Ap appear #Tianner of Dissipated Arizona Green- ish blue Well above 30,000 100 watt light bulb Disappeared behind obstacle Round Tremendous rate of speed Very fast well above speed of sound Disappeared behind mountains Disappeared from view [PAGE 33] Summary of Sighti 45 vy tion Obs Altitude Horizontal Reliabili of Area of Occurrence Apparent ito Vertical Observa Apparent Spe Apparent ed isappear- Evaluation Tucson i Silver i From Be29 Arizona tf i i to a city seconds Tent out degrees Very fast white up to light Pe eso 1,000 mph Very fast Mexico iabove horizon of air- plane landing jlights 50 eciw 10° 15 i 2126-base-iSeme speed above i ball dia- aircraft horizon mond firebox lights [PAGE 34] of Unlmown Aerial ENE— Phenomena 17th District OSI cont Reliabili Observer General Area of ccurrence fe Apparent Direction ht of Fli¢ a to Vertical Horizont Apparent Altitude a oD Jisappear Camp Hood Texas App 1200 droppin Alterna-j ii*k Evaluation short quarter size Very slow from Los Alamos going horizon down angle of IBOkeSbe Camp Hood Cemp Hood Texas Camp Hood 1000 at an Reddish ereenish white None nigh ONY mare hg pp 1/8 size of moon Covered 15 mils in 140 mins i iho Covered 20 mils in 157 secs or ize Disappeared west of Jemez Dimmed and went out Dimmed and went out mond mils width 10 mils in mts iDimmed and went ouf i Metal- lis circu- lar Motionless to faster ithan jet NW 91526 [PAGE 35] servers Hof Ot arrence CCr iO A yO oO Qh oral GA Oo is pparent Altiti Ary tal orizont ito Vertical ration of Du Apparent peed iianner oO Disappear Brraluation SW to NE above horizon or one 75 0-1000 Faded from view moon diameter 1000 then red at end of ht 20 Jun 2010 Alanos Mexico Green turned orange red be nishi fore va4 Directly overhead Blue green 1-1/2 secs ef ONMETO CALL NW 91526 Se Vanished as tho exting dst [PAGE 36] Aerial Phenomena 17th Distri I nt Page 14 Occurrence ae ight Horizontal to Vertical fenner of isappear Apparent Altitude nce iApparent Direction iof Flig aded from Lew dthact 9000 tS YU Round Relatively slow None A 2,000 mph Arizona ubove grey or faster None mi ‘Such as Camp Hood Texas jcircle NW 91526 [PAGE 37] Summary of Sightings of Unimown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont ical Disappear florizontal to Vert lanner oO Evaluation Observers i Apparent Apparent Duration of Observatior Killeen ne 30° Faded out Base Texas above horizon hi to I Faded out Killeen 30° ie texas above horizon at PHS NON an fo a Went out ie i i ilike light hor izon iFaded out ito cover Predom- Xo ening Very fast Sracuanly inately i i faded out sent Rube NW 91526 [PAGE 38] of Untmown Aerial lity Observers on ion of ti iabi bservat Train or rail Direction of Flight Occurrence Altitu Rel of A Apparent Apparent dorizontal to Vertical fanner of Disappear- Evaluation iDura sappeared srradually above horizon large as auto spot fh Pe i i ight tish None ize Extreme Alamogordo 1itist amine Pe Agalis New Mexico lig is re normal fast chind mou falling ttwice as ain ical dec- nik a star fast as line i falling i NW 91526 [PAGE 39] Summary i mena 17th District OST ion Observers Direction Apparent Altitude lorizontal to Vertical Observat #Appar i Descend- ing to to earth earth rizon jvertically verti- hite Sands Straight bse OF one Rou ight iDisappeared ew Mexico ve line to i i as fie behind sand dune Alamogordo Long slow Blui i Yes None ip of Burned out curve to jearth Oval jHoad size udden i i i i Base i i disappearanca ance illeen iBase Texas NW 91526 [PAGE 40] Summery of Sightings i Number of Observers Direction fof Flight Apparent q¥Altitude ertical Horizontal to Observation lianner of Disappear- ance luation Eve Camp Hood in Texas Level flight Like head- flight of ola Level flight Greater speed than plane Burned out Camp Hood Texas above horizon Rocket Very great similar to falling star Light grad- ually diminished Killeen DSase Texas 30° jabove horizon isoing up 2ued climbing 30° angle appearance Disappeared Camp Hood Texas 40° 70° above horizon wl almost hor- izontal Large star Great speed i Tent out ilike a light NW 91526 [PAGE 41] Phen os oS Oe se Ct WILT i ini Sumary of Sighting Uninow eria District OSI cont Pp ion Observation av Flight Evaluatiai anmner oO Disappear=- umber of Train or Apparent i ry I i*Reliability of Observers ‘Area of Occurrence ‘Direction to Vertical iDura a fo Unk ‘Camp Hood i Texas orizon Much larger Burned up and than evening disintograted star ‘Camp Hood iN to i8,000 Texas or more i i i CS ot ip gy pyar size faster than lany plane iobserved 11 Aug Camp Hood Generally Texas i a level Sudden dis- appearance ee ko AO Rene fe illeen ue 145 Straight 21 None Base Texas above level horizon 12 Aug circle resem bling descent signal describ- flare i arc NW 9152 [PAGE 42] Summary of Sig of Phenomena 17th District OSI cont of orvers i Plight Observers Occurrence Direction of uratior Anner of fe General Arca of of Horizontal to Vertical RF ‘Apparent Altitude Apparent Number of a ae oO ISE to mT j30° iHeaded down Reddi iv ai airly long above ec i of treak of horizon headed jdowm Appeared se I arger than Disappeared Dise i i appeared ivertical at 12° Douglas to 18,000 Flat i 10 iti nub size 3500 to Disappeared Arizona 10,000 itrajectory mph in distance 45° at Eor nt Dw i iiafe i110 times Disappeared low level rei i ispeed of in space 90° at ace i i ijet planes hich high level ierrific irate of Arizona [PAGE 43] Unimown Aerial Direction Base flight Altitude observers Occurrence parent of ‘rea i*Bvaluetion #*Reliabili Horizontal to Vertical Duration of Observation Or General A os flemos most i A igi i ee Burned out iBurst ap- eared to Horizontal ange 16 None 3all ger than shape ifalling star Dark yellow Traveling Bright mt to jblue to of softball ize of baseball at 25 yds [PAGE 44] Summary of Sightings of Unknowm Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont ty of Observers Disappear- Reliabili Occurrence Direction of Flight Horizontal to Vertical Duration of Observation Evaluation Number Number” of Observers General Area of Apparent Apparent Altitude Train or Trail Apparent Manner fo a fo Ae 15° 20° Ling igk Tone 12 Round jSame si i srightened above in at went horizon i i Sandia Base Made a gen None jConi-+ jLooked i Burnt out New Mexico above tle arc icle i ‘horizon jtoward wi tail earth i twice Moving None Fist iy Burnt out above tangent to horizon jearth to Yellow jorange i iBright jgreen Dark green NW 91526 [PAGE 45] SSS Se Summary of Sightings of Unknown Aerial Phe mena 17th District OSI cont Llity Observersi Relia of Size lanner of Horizontal to Vertical Observation Duration of Occurrence General Apparent Direction of Flight Altitude Area of it Disappear- ance Evaluatiang Apparent fa Vw Mescalero 18° i Greo oO size Disappeared New Mexico above i horizon descent possi- bly lt igreen tince Alamogordo i tc iGreen Size of INew lexico ise baseball at i i arm's lene Albuqueraue iE to i Curved des- jGreen- New Mexico icent ap- ish proaching hi vertical very flare Wagon Horizontal Greene A Appe that Went out like Mound New ish in diame- jof meteor eee iwhite Sian ter Albuquerque NE to At tail end{Brilli-i i Seemed to New Mexico of its ant i burn out course it jgreen arched over and fell [PAGE 46] hn District OSI of ppear sf Observers Area of Occurrence orizontal to Vertical Train or Duration Observation Apparent kEveluationi Size Disa ance I iiNumber of i Apparent Direction bof Flight i Apparent Altitude pa a Albuquerque Straight 135° alf a moon ropped pis New Mexico ivertical jabove i it sec rop horizon 10 Oct 0406 Los Alamos SE to NE j3,000 xrallel I wiles Appeared to above to surface jiant slower observa-iof earth hi ishan a i teor ia Base ‘Bluish iYe iSize of Slow iexico i i Bree fist at arm's len- Executed ish blue w/red sparks trail- ing Sendia Base jN NE 45° Green Size of Slow Burned out iNew Mexico above fist at horizon arm's len- gth Roswell Appeared Leneuvered Light i Size New Mexico jmoving to up down jgreen baseball angl- turned ting slich orange ‘tly to i of [PAGE 47] Summary of Sightings of Unlmown Aerial Phenomena 17th District Lo fe co og ww pee umber “of Observers a Pt ht Disappear- bservers of Vertical Reliabili General Apparent Direction of Flis Apparent Altitude orizontal Observation Area of Occurrence Size Manner I HDuration of Apparent a CG fo Alamogordo If size None jRound in dia- of Be29 i Li meter appeared i pe ats ito be 150,000 Roswell iv 8,500 Smooth are Whi 45 Faster thaniW ac fexico i ise js jet air- ai craft vision fippeared If si both arc hit No und 00 1,500 mph jFaded from ifrom f.B-29 sa Hin diameter view iveered off to i ce a Ra ‘ucson Py Horizontal ound 1,000 mph 1z0na os Alamos iJ 20,000 ate pay a i NW 91526 [PAGE 48] of Unlmown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OST fenner of ility Disappear- “rs servers Area of ion uation Number of i Genera Occurrence Direct of Flight Observation Apparent ieeEve Yew Lexico Unknown Alemos Disap- Stationary llexico ipeared i i ibut disap- ito jpeared with i meteor [PAGE 49] iv ft peed of Observers General Area of Occurrence Apparent Altitude Duration of Observetion Apparen Mamer Los Alamos Downvard 10° from the hori- izontal Vertical i il one yrizon i i fe 18° iSloping above idescent horizon i 152 127 Nov 31749 i i Heep ene Qui thaniFaded out i gradually i to pale i blue NW 9152 [PAGE 50] Summary of Sighti umber of fg of Un Apparent Direction of Flight erial Phenomena Apparent de izonta ior Observation Apparent lanner of Disappear-— Evaluati lamorordo ew llexico ownward Green fringe iof orange Venus oot sc oO Be heed SE bh futd 08 Wont out like a jeoandle 40° above jyhorizon Sloping idescent Disappeared behind mt In dive green Disappeared Tularosa New Mexi Smooth are idownward Blue iy el- lowish red toward tail lead pencil at i Vertically do eared to ground NW 91526 [PAGE 51] Observers liability eR iiof Observers rea of Jecurrence irection Apparent of Flight Apparent Altitude Horizontal Train or Duration of Observation Apparent Evaluation Station- ary then began to move downward slowly green nor ww planet Venus Mov tHe tomeue from to during OD served Descending 80° 40 above rizontal horizon wT NW 91526 [PAGE 52] Uninowr ial Phenomena 17th Dist ght ig Observers pparen Direction ay of orizontal Evaluation of General Area of Occurrence iNumber of Apparent Altitude 60° above icoul whit se aS a point isecond stopped horizon i j[suddenly Green- jvone und 25° per Behind ish i second horizon About same size of jorratic- i Venus lally Holloman jErratic- ally up dow Scullville Ascending New Jersey at about 60° ansle close range Albuqucrauc A Reddish Round Twice size New lcxico jabo green elon- i tod evening NW 91526 [PAGE 53] gs of Unknown Acrial Phonomena 17th Dist liability Observers parent ection arent Re servation ze Di Duration of Area of Occurrence es of Flight Apparent Altitude ues amner of ee Ot Disappear- General ance Speed Apparent i**Evaluation i Between Tucumcari Kirtland AFB New i Mexico a lo Faded out suddenly From WT i iAy B12 i of iLike Ke jto dovmward re i i shooting above gt i i star trail horizon Stopped observation Disappeared from view behind cloud Straight Whi Kone mpared in flight I size to up- per dark ihorizon portion of i NW 91526 [PAGE 54] Summary of Sightings of Unimown Phenomena lof Obscrvers Area of of Flight orizontal Bak pear Disap Apparent Evaluation ance Observation Albuquc Now Le Los New Mexico then turned Erratic nerally About 20° above horizon 20,000- 30,000 Straicht up no ww jVery slow NW 91526 [PAGE 55] Sumary of Sightings of Unimown Aerial Phenomena 17% ors nce tion mer of ppear Disa pparent Obsecrv I A of Observe Area of Occurre Direction Apparent Altitude Course Horizontal May Rie pee Evalue Wimber “of hw oe Los Alamos i ed iConsid- i i phe By i Un'mown iNew Me i lerable i i jaltitud leading i None secs toward 135 i ito herizon i iToward ht ar ight Appeared to i i burn out i Disappeared behind mountain 40 mph iWent below 40 mpi Tent bel horizon 2oMEIDEMEAL NW 91526 [PAGE 56] Summary of Sightings of Unknown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont umber Reliability Altitude Observers Apparent norizontal to Vertical Disappear- aN isappeared into glare of sun Faded from view i Traveled co 195° NW 91526 [PAGE 57] Summary of Sightings of Unimown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont Number of Direction of Flight General Area of Occurrence Apparent Apparent Altitude orizontal or Vertical in train or trai Duration of Observation Apparent Bi a ce ae Observers lAbout 130° ibove horizon iat dis- tance of 150 miles Holloman Lew Var 110G 10 i nk ‘Farmington ‘New Mexico to NE i i 10 aeat eee ea Ss Eien ‘Farmington NE Over New Mexico 120,000 Toward earth os Alamos iNew Mexico flight Sart wage carr Turned on itheir axis maneu- vered up 60°-80° a anne lunin- ous as alumi- num i Reddishi I then 4green i iGreen ‘ish i iyellow Imts Skyward at iBright None CORY SS akibuoare area ap acne ing pong all held arm's nth i Pep faster than sconvention al aircraft Disappeared from view Discontinued observation Evaluation wor ww fi jarm's length aretecoasue Faster than convention ial aircraft Gradua Fly disappeared 12 size of full moon Appeared to Moderate penn een nee eg Like light going out i i [PAGE 58] OMEIDENTIAD of Sightings of Unimown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont Re liability jof Observers tal tion Number of Apparent Altitude or Vertical Train or Trail Duration of Observation Sound Size Ss pe ed iamer ef ance General Horizon Disappear Occurrence i Direction i iof Flight Apparent Apparent Apparent bt Holloman App 270° Changed None mts AFB lew i if ig ifrom pong Disappeared a Bae from view Evalua jorange ito N>lood ired to jamber ito light green i SuERnEE at ehcp aba se eee ot cnet ie vies iFarmington to NB jTuwmed on Brirht Ione hone fF Gat faster than Discontinued ‘New Mexico itheir axis lumin- mts is convention-~fjobservation i maneu- ous as liodi al aircraft -vered up itin ‘down foil ray fo 16 Mar Farnington Over ‘Skyward at Bright ‘None 30 INone Oval Faster than Gradua Fly Hew Mexico 120,000 at 600-809 ‘alumi- imts ob- jheld at iconvention=|disappeared long jarm's jal aircraft jlength i Reese's ved Oo ii 100 Appeared to j17 War ‘O31G iLos Alemos Toward i esa fall to i earth 12 size of Moderate Like light jfull moon going out set OER Saie inneeaae Alamos ve i Greene i ‘ish [PAGE 59] Summary of Sightings of Unkmown Aerial Phenomena 17th District OSI cont ity Number of al Goner Area of parent of Observers AD Size Observers H*Reliabi Occurrence Apparent Direction of Flight Apparent Altitude Horizontal to Vortical Train or Trail Duration of Observation Apparent Speed Manner of Disappear a a rm Excessive jGradually in to jet faded from rm's len- fli iview Bod i Sandia Basc ily Nox None Round Si ar Disappeared New i silver to shady gray on Base 75° it I ound Smaller Apr Disappeared ri ico above i than fist mp from range horizon i at of vision Kirsl 40° 50° IZ is il Si i Abou’ Disappeared ADR AFB above mot ior jdime at jetifrom range horizon dow farm i i of vision Kirtland WT chang- Horizontal Tan to iN i lying Extremely Disappeared APB Uew ing to brown wing high speed Mexico 30,00 ball held i i arm's NW 91526 [PAGE 60] of Sightings of Unlmow Phenomena 17th District OSI cont i of Observers iorizontal or Vertical valuation umber of Observers Reliability iGeneral iArca of Occurrence Apparent Direction of Flight Apparent Altitude jDuration of Observation Apparent epec Disappear- ance Apparent Speed Niamner of tw fe cr Sandia Base Line para- Blue Hone 14 Round secs 30° iBurned out Now Mexico llel w/line leenter like azimuth tengont to jwith roall the earth jorange from exter- roman ior candle ow wV ArH han Los Alamos 75 White i Tone Round Disappeared New Mexico above light hind horizon Bre ding Los Alamos 2,000 jManuevercd jLight jiNone 1/16 at Gradually New Mexico above up down jgrcen arm's went out horizon from sideibright length of sight to side as tin foil Los Alamos Manouvered Bright Rough- Est in jFaster thanjLost sight i up down jmetal- diameter iconvention-jof object lic circu- fal aircraft lar an Kirtland NE jAppare- jilas angl- Cylin- Tremendous Flash of AFB New ntly a jing down- drical i brilliant fow ward white light thou- sand feot NW 91526 [PAGE 61] Photograph of Unknown Aerial Phenomena taken at Datil New Mexico by Cpl Lertis kL Stanfield Holloman Air Force Base New liexico on 24 and 25 Feb 1950 An analysis of the above photograph was made by Dr Lincoln LaPaz Head of the Institute of ileteoritics University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico who reached the following con- clusions a The angular diameter of the perfectly round luminous object Stanfield observed was approx imately 1/4 of a degree The angular velocity of the object in the sky was greater than half a degree per minute br LaPaz stated that on the basis of the results a and above the object seen by Stanfield was not the moon for the angular diameter is too small it was not Venus or any other planet for the angular diameter was too large and it was not a bright fixed star slightly out of focus for the observed rate of motion is double that due to the diurnal rotation of the earth NW 91526 [PAGE 62] NW_91526 [PAGE 63] THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ALBUQUERQUE INSTITUTE OF METEORITICS To Lt Colonel Doyle Rees Commanding Officer 17th District I From Lincoln LaPaz Director Institute of Meteoritics Subject Anomalous Luminous Phenomena Seventh Report In the second report of this series dated 1948 December 20 the writer listed ten significant differences between the bright green horizon- tally-moving fireballs observed in the interval 1948 December 5-20 and typical meteors These differences were the following The horizontal nature of the paths of most of the December ireballs is most unusual Genuine meteors are rarely observed to move in horizontal paths Again the very low height of the December firebali discu in section above sets it off in sharp contrast from the genuine meteors for which heights of the order of 40 or more miles are mally observed The velocity determined for the fireball of December 12 is much less than the velocities determined from typical meteors and yet is considerably greater than the speeds of the Rockets or jet planes or of conventional flares In the case of meteorites that penetrate to as low levels as that determined for the fireball of December 12 the observed Ju- minous phenomena are always accompanied by very violent noises No noises whatever have been observed in connection with the various December fireballs so far investigated Note added on 1950 May 23 Possible exceptions to the noiselessness of green fireballs are the incidents of 1949 January 30 and 1949 December Genuine meteors normally show remarkable variations in brightness beginning as fine thin hair lines which are scarcely visible to the observer and then brightening up to flash out nea the end of their paths In the case of the December fireballs mos of the observers have reported that the green balls appeared almost instantly at their full brightmess NW 91526 [PAGE 64] Lt Colonel Anomalous eiuts of the compass with frequ the contrary in the case of ue ereen of admissib approacn sec- tors show that there come in from he north to The three snomalous rreeni show curious as ia with well known a none of these metex rowers normally prod fireballs such as those ntly ooserved bi ee mentior eared neer Quadrantid oes wer uery BeCuT ough A igust was ae id observations the interval This relationsh indicate an at balls less considerable cover As noted in an lor reported for most in the color the blo lone tl for the green fireba 0.5 seconds for the duration estimates invar meteorite fall to 30 10 For nonce that penotrate to December 12 was observed ditional accepted aye thi NW 91526 [PAGE 65] AY Jr Colonel Doyle Rees Page nemaleus Luminous Phenomen Seventh Report to move horizontally However a strictly vertical in rarely observed in the case of genuine meteor falls An analysis just completed of cime dis fireballs so far observed permits us to add an 11t differences given in paragraph above The graph local time which accompanies the present report shows frequency of sighting of green fireballs occurring at appro 2030 coincides in time with neither the frequency maximum fae ord meteors occurring at approximately 0300 nor the frequency meteorite falls oceurri gs at approximately 1600 Inspection of the graph refcrred show that most of the green fireballs have val extending from about p.m to 11 p.m might be even more pron ced if it were poss secondary maximum around a.m MST been mistakenly identified as green fireiallbe tion has occurred is strongly suggested by near coinc of the secondary maximum of the i balls and the early morning maximum of the Some significance may alluded to in paragraph exter egion of the USSR Since missiles moving with of those found for the green fireballs have been possible would travel from the southern less than 15 minutes a possible interpretation of concentration sightings referred to in paragraph is that the green fireballs re i from guided missiles launched from bases in the Urals in mornin hours before cloudiness due to convection or blinding afternoon dust storms can interfere with non-radar tracking such has been used by the Optical Trajectory Section at White Sands Proving Ground There is also a pronomecd concentration of green fircball incidents on the four days Friday Saturday Sunday Monday almost all of the most widely observed incidents having occurred on Saturday or Sunday Te It is a curious and fairly well-established fact that has been a distinct decline in the numbor of green fireball si during the Jase two months within wh ich the number of so-called fly- ing saucer incidents in thi gi attained an all-time hig Although I Scientific Advisory Boa don't know of any experin of these unconventional objects COAIDIDCAITI ASMOALIDLAIN rl NW 91526 [PAGE 66] GOAMCINCAL WT 117 LIN Lt Colonel Doyle Rees Anomalous Luminous Phen consider the most probable explanation of given in the first of the ree para from my letter of 1950 Februa 20 to pheric Fhysics Laboratory Base Directorate for As a preliminary to setting down the requested I nave very carefull coverins incidents from incident of February under intensive investication for last of this cor mpre nensive review rticularly We an ob concerning than I i nd when I have come ce now availal Pi rebeall project that Those of the unusual but cer other characteri are guided the sensi eae interpreta answer to conference on feb and I doubt Eat However even if is the correct it should ref wrong in interpretins certainly intensive should not be delayed yeer Recent interna imperative necessity of al green fireballs in cas¢ proving that they would recommend vatory be plac tigation ther be placed Geophysical The last two paragravhs quoted below well summarize my recon concerning the green fireball problem project reviewed all observers reports transit NW 91526 [PAGE 67] To Lt Colonel Doyle Rees Page Subj Anomalous Luminous Fhenomena Seventl Crozier of the Mex i s:1nes On the iv dust collection and field surveys I do any recoveries but many in will it should be carri yal essed in my convcrs with you and Major Oder Although the above recommendations contained in sider at offer at the to serve if needed as consu suggested in Major Oder's the stipulation howev her than on the $40 per NW 91526 [PAGE 68] Number oF Observations 20 22 TIME OF SIGHTINGS Zz Oo as ol NO [PAGE 70] 2-8 UNKNOWN Aerial Phenomena Commanding General Sandia Base Albuquerque New Mexico ATTN Intelligence Officer DR/JIB/web May 19h9 Transmitted herewith is a Summary of Information relative to the aerial phenomena which have been observed in the New Mexico West Texas area This investigation is being continued and your office will be kept informed of future developments Inel Summary of Information DISTRIBUTION OF SUMMARY Hq OSI OSI Region CG AMC CO Kirtland AFB CO 636th Acft Control warning Sq AF Guided Missile Project AF Field Office for Atomic Energy CG Sandia Rase Atomic Energy Security Service CG Fourth Army BIO Ft Bliss Texas FBI Albuquerque Dr Lincoln LaPaz UNM File NPP RP RPWHE EYP PEED bw [PAGE 71] ae AIR FORCE WASHINGT on 17th DI STRIC KIRTLAN SUMMARY OF INFORMATION This is a comprehensive summary of all observations fied aerial phenomena possessing similar charact eristics whie observed in the New Mexico-West Texas areae The common characteri of most of the incidents are ae Green color sometimes described as green yellow-green or blue greene be Horizontal path sometimes with minor variations ce Speed less than that of a meteor but mo than any known type of aircraft de No sound associated with observations ee No persistent or dust cloud Period of visibility from one to cnaracteristics but in each case one or more sent In none of the reported incidents has any natural or manemade obj been determined to be responsible All of the incidents reported do not all of the above The body of this summary consists of a bebulagion of observations with notes attached to clarify or amplify air more important observations Wote numbers and ars taken it peot ty from repor’ compiled by Dr Lincoln LaPaz University of New internationally known and respected as teoriticist an great interest in thé phenomena Sonaad aa by OST ee Ly eae persons we LaPaz and his colleagues but inasmuch as complete ta these interviews a not taken into account this summary -In addition numerous reports have been received from individuals who could not provide GC ea ysort mEAL ed Iga% NW 91526 [PAGE 72] SUMMARY OF INFORMATION Cont sufficient information to warrant inclusion of such facts as the possesse Any interview where the veracity of the in doubted was discounted in the preparation of reports fur tranemjt Inel Tabular Summary w/notes NW’'91526 [PAGE 73] oannnang i I rao NW 91526 58 Military Pilots Ci +14 Ci Ci sr Jirlines Pilot ographser AzC Security L3SS Inspectcr SS Inspector Inspector [PAGE 74] NW 91526 [PAGE 75] oe EXTRACT FROM REPORT SUBMITTED BY DR LaPAZ ON 20 December 14 1:00 aeme Mrs Mimo Sanchez Wa The Real Path of the Only Green Fireball so Far Observed at Separate Stationse among the numerous observations so far mado th only one pair of corresponding observations ieee those made simultance by different groups of observers at widely separated stations The such observations are those obtained on the night of Decomber 12 by of observers near Starvation Peak Bernal New Mexico see re of 1948 December 12 plus or minus 30s and a second pair of obser stationed within the Los Alamos reservation By graphic reduction of simultaneouly made observations the following facts have been determir The green fireball of December 12 Qh plus or minus 30s appeared ver a point with the coordinates latitude 35° 50 longitude 106° 40 and di peared near a peint with the coordinates latitude 35° 45 longitude traversing a nearly or exactly horizontal path with a length of very nearly twenty-five 25 miles at an altitude above the surface of the earth of ap- proximately to 10 miles depending on the estimate of angular altitude employed in the reduction tho velocity with respect to the carth works out at between and 12 miles a second depending the duration est It should.be observed that the above results are obtained under the as that the points of appee disappearance of tho fire were se simultaneously by both the Bernal and Los Alamos groups In case this a tion is not fulfilled the real path could very easily be no more than 12 miles long the velocity with respect to the rth then working out at there is thus conside betwoen a milcs a second because of the lack of confirming uth observations from concordance in the five different estimates of angular elevat most unlikely that the linear Height of the fircball was much less and much more than 10 miles It is interesting to observe that the backwar extension of the 25-milo path first given passes almost contrally across tb Los Alamos reservation Significant Differences Betweon the Fireballs Observed in the Inter December 5-16 and Typical lMetcorse alla 3.1 The horizontal nature of paths of most of the December balls is most unusual Genuine meteors rarely observed to move zontal paths 3.2 Again the very low height of the December fireball discussed section above sects it off in sharp contrast from the quine metoors for which heights of the order of 40 or more miles are norm lly observed 3.3 -The velocity determined for the fireball of December le is much less than the ocities determined from typical meteors and yet is considce ably greater than the speeds of the Rockots or jet planes or of convent flares ee a NW 91526 [PAGE 76] TO Colonel Doyle Recs December 20 19 In the case of meteorites that penet to as low levels for the fireball of December 12 the observed lum nomena are ways mn ied by very violent noises noises whatev have been observed in connection with the various Decs fireballs sx investigated 3-5 Genuin ormally show remarkable variations in beginning as fine thin hair Lir nes which are scarcely visible to the and then brightening up to flash out near the end of their paths of the December fireballs most of the observers havo ne balls appeared almost instantly at their full brightne 3.6 In the case of genuine meteors the paths all points of the compass with equal frequency On th of the green fireballs plots of admissible ouch is very pronounced tendency for the paths of the skye oT three groups a pa association with meteor showers jas bane produce extremely bright those recently ob For exauple the obser appeared near th McCullough the December obse shower This relatio balls less conspi able meteoric activit 3.8 As noted in ie mmunicetion the remarkably color reperted for most fireballs is rarely obs case of genuine test this peculiar identi with the given sr Salts in the blowpipe flame identificaticn is eecceee th welongth of the radiation from fireballs is near 5,218 3.9 The duratio the green fircballs for the ordinary vi invariably scr a or even longer 3.10 For nene cloud been reported This contrasts sharply with the behavior of meteoric fireballs--particularly those that penetrate to the levels where the green fireball of December 12 was cbserved On the basis of the various differences to which attent in section the writer remains of the cpinion that the fireba 12 was definitely non-meteoric and that in all pr bility the of most if not all the other bright geen firsballs which under investigation LINCOLN LaPAZ sper NW 91526 [PAGE 77] INCIDENTS OF 13 AND 20 DEC The unusual feature of these two i idents is on fireball In each the traili stain a constant positi to driver and while that NW 91526 [PAGE 78] 73 COPY NCLOSURE The University of New Mexico Albuquerque Institute of Meteoritics December 30 Lt Colonel Doyle Rees Commanding Officer District No 17 Office of Special Investigations From Lincoln LaPaz Director Institute of Meteoritics Subject Anomalous luminous phenomena Third Report In the second report of this series a description was given of the path through the atmosphere of the green fireball of 1948 December 12 plus or minus 308 On the basis of corresponding observations made fron station near Starvation Peak New Mexico and a second station Los Ale New Mexico this fireball was found to have appeared near a point with the coordinates latitude 35° 50 longitude 106° 40% and to have diss near a point with the coordinates latitude 35° 45t longitude 107 05° traversing an almost horizontal path at an elevation of about 10 miles sea level with a length of about 25 miles at a velocity of 10 miles per second The minimum path length consistent with th was found to be about 11 miles the corresponding velocity then falling 3-and miles per second depending on the duration adopted On the basis of corresponding observations of the greenish-whi of 1948 December 20 87 54% made by two pairs of Los Alamos observers it has now become possible to work out another approximate real pa be apparent from the original accounts of the observations made by Inspectors William Wilson Buford Truett Clifford Strang Security Inspector George Skipper the fireball of 1948 Decemb observed under less favorable conditions than the green fireball persons on the night of December 12 However on the basis of the accounts of the observers named above of sketches supplied by these viduals on December 29 and of transit observations made by Captain and the undersigned on the same date at the poin of observation viz 35° 48t 106° 18 for Strang and Skipper a 35° 65 106° 23% for Wilson and Truett it has been possible to establish reasonable concordance between various points on the fireball path as seen by the two groups of ob serverse Because of the very short baseline only miles long bet two points of observation and the difficult conditions under which of December 20 was observed it is my opinion that the real path the December 20 observations deserves considerably less weight tained from the December 12 observationse NOTE NW 91526 [PAGE 79] Lt Col Doyle Rees December 350 1948 It is found that the fireball doubly observed by Messrs Wilson Truett Strang and Skipper appeared at a height of at least 10 miles and descendec an angle of about 45° to the vertical according to Truett's esti to point at an elevation of only 2.3 miles above the horizontal pl tires the point from which Strang and Skipper observed As the fireball the point its path levelled off and from to its point of disapp the fireball followed a nearly horizontal path approximately 7-5 moving with a velocity of between 3.75 and 7.5 miles per second the duration estimate adopted The coordinates of the projectic earth are 35° 56’ 106° 30 an ose of the projection of 57 106° 23 The forward ex ension of the fireball's trace on as detormined by the above projections passes some six miles to the the town of Los Alamose It should be noted that the descending branch of the path of the fire was observed by Inspector Truett alone but he was absolutely certain his observation of this portion of path was correct It should also noted that no sound was heard although the distance from the observers to fireball and from the fireball to the earth could have been only a at most I have no hesitancy in testifying that an object poss ssing path and the other peculiarities observe by Messrs Wilson Truett and Skipper was not a falling moteorite NW 91526 [PAGE 80] TOs Directer Intelligence Security Division January 19 FROM Chief Physical Security Branch SUBJECT Reported Observation of Unidentified Light or Flare Moving Aercs the Sky on January 1949 le On January 1949 the writer interviewed Pfc Everitt ASN 38552954 Headquarters 8450th M.P Group concer identified light or flare which he had reportedly seen movin Pfeo Everitt advised that on January 1949 he was guardi C-97 airplane at the landing strip located adjacent to the Or when at approximately 1730 hours he noticed a bright object travellin the sky from the Southeast towards the’ Northwest He related that th was diamond shaped approximately two feet long and appeared to be much brighter in its center than at the edges He est ted that approximately 1500 to 2000 feet in the air and travelled approximately 500 feet horizontal to the carth's surface before he lost sight of it Pfc Everitt was unable to estimate the speed of the object but statei that he seen low flying jet planes and that this object travelled much faster the jets that he has observed Thore ne smoke other vaporkus naterial visible to Pfc Everitt around es the object At the time Pfc essed the object he stat that sky was clear furnishi a lig 16 background and that the object a ed to be a bright white light with nc other apparent visible color Standing guard with Pfe Everitt were Set Richard Cpl Wilson and to Pfc Everitt neither of the ot ay object Everitt explaine called to Sgt Woleslegce who was at the other end of the plan told him to look at the object in the but by that time it had disap Pfe Everitt sta Bill of Rights in Houston some experience in observin IW EW DOYLE Chief Physical Security Branch Intelligence Security Divisior NOTE NW 91526 [PAGE 81] THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ALBUQUERQUE Institute of Meteoritics Fobruary 21 1949 Lt Colonel Doyle Rees Commanding officer District No 17 Office of Special Investigations Lincoln LaPaz Director Institute of Meteoritics Subject Anomalous luminous phenomena 4th report le Several additional sightings of unexplained aerial light phenomen have occurred since the third report in this series was prepareds Outs among the as yet undescribed incidents was the green fireball of Sunday January 30 1949 5:54 peme MST ithin less than one minute after the pearance of the fireball an eyewitness Mr Nesbett called to report pression of a group of persons who saw the fireball through an east window while seated about the dinner table in brightly lighted roome ithin twet hours after the fireball appeared more than 100 eye itness accounts obtained by its director through personal interviews An unusually centage of the reports came from militery personnel waiting out under for Post The rs to open from guards and other special nts already alc to watch for anomalous luminous phenomena and from airpla pilots contre tower men and oilwell workers working on the late afternoon to midnight sh On February list a staff car was placed at the writer's dispes Major William Godsoe of the Fourth Anmy and a field survey was region in New Mexico and Texas in which tho majority of the ob ing the fall lived i survey carricd out under unusually conditions included visits to the following localities Moriar Vaughn Ramon Mesa Roswell Caprock Tatum ond other towns in and Lamesa Brownficld Plains Lubbock juleshoe and other towns in Several of towns were visited two or more times At Roswell very effective cooperation was provided by the OSI group at Walker Air under Lt Paul Ryan ond the local CAP unit under Lt Ke Cobean Special Agent Bill Ricket was added to the survey party and gavo much aid in worke fexas the ground survey party was joined by an air party isti i jor Charles Phillips USAF Captain Melvin Speci ng from the 17th District OSI office Field and Corporal Cochran On February 4th the four persons ju a low-level air reconnaissance mission in a T-1l aircraft over the rounding the earth-point of the fireball of January 30th At the a second ground survey party under Lt Paul Ryan made a careful along a route extending from Lamesa through Amherst Texas to Clov NW 91526 [PAGE 82] As a result of the er ound air searche red to above and of 1.lysis of the very AMO informe ed tnesscs evsonal interv te nox on ati letter it has now mn ral thousand persons in fexico and Texas this ee fireball leisurely traverse the has ie sen possible to determine that th January 30th fireball became at an altitude of approximately oye miles over a point at latitud longitude 102° and disappe an altitude of over a point at latitude 32° 481 isagi tans 02° 22% nearly horizontal path pproximately 143 les long at a to fourteen miles per second Although the January 30th fireb the brightest observed in the last quarter-¢ i at its real path lay closer to th throughout its other meteorite path of which the writer hes knowledge son fircballs of Docember 12th and 20th 1948 which without excepti Jenuary 50th by anyone me covered by ous ground surv However what may have Udden noises anomalous whi id hissing unds frequently ropor by very distant observers i a ritic fireball was seon wo Texase In addition to the absence of noise raph the fireball of January 50th 1949 eege nearly horizontal path absence of long enduring luminous oer North to ae dire bar ig etc arlicr described in this series of reportse However ball was much brighter than any of those earlier reporte other green fireballs in that many of the Texas observers who were situate nearest its path reported its color blue ors red and even purple stead of greene Up to the present time February 21st no evidence whatever supper the belief that wold fr fell to earth from the January 30th fire has been discovered Hc as promptly as possible a much ground search should be in the probable arca of fa outli earlier surveys for in my opinion firek nuary 50% one of the anomalous luminous objects und<r investi cation of hav beon a meteorite falle With the present report the writer's participa vestigation of the puzzling fi all que ation pnb to the time I was on lea nce Univ lad to donate my time Head of ssible for me to continue LINCOLN LaPAZ Head of Dept of Mathematic Se AV a NW 91526 [PAGE 83] INCIDENTS CF 17 re In each of Flight Red Elo 22845 Var icus:maneuve Both objects verfirmed i turnin clinbin divi ot accuvat esti ms ly Th Ky at u.quergue trom made the wunearieClovis The the 17 Febsu ject appeared Lor With,eibacr Lad reports,-indicated in vertical manauwers a ripidv objects In neither case praducg any evidence.of jetpron exe servers in each case were whose,.caredi bility is abo ver aveRregow rathe>- than as weuld Pam i me ane Ae Be NW 91526 [PAGE 84] INCIDENT OF MARCH 1949 This incident was reported by an AESS Inspector The object appeared to be an eliptical rounded or covered th billowy fl similar to stubby control sur be sure of this The the part of a war hind the clouds erver oc rathe NW 91526 [PAGE 85] 9¢S16 MN [PAGE 86] eo HEADQUARTERS SANDIA BASE ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO MAR 31 1949 REFER TO FILE No SBID/1 DECLASSIFIED SUBJECT Unidentified Flying Ob niden’ ied Flying jects NW 1926 DE om wars consi TOs The Chief Armed Forces Special Weapons Project Box 2610 Washington 25 ATTENTION Chief Intelligence Security Division Reference is made to letter this Headquarters file SBID/1 dated 31 December 1948 subject as above Inclosed herewith are three summaries of information from Fourth Army dated 16 March 18 March and 24 March 1/949 dealing with the reports of unidentified lights appearing in the vicinity of Camp Hood Texas Aconference was held at los Alamos on 16 February 1949 to consider the unnatural phonomena that have been reported Commander Richard Mandelkorn represented this Headquarters at this conference His report of this conference as well as a transcript of the minutes of the conference are attached hereto It is requested that these inclosures be returned to this Headquarters for file after they have served their purpose inasmuch as they are the only copies on hand FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL Inels oATND Memo 18 Feb 49 SBRD-0-2173 Sum of Info 24 Mar 49 w/sketch Sum of Info 18 Mar 49 w/sketch Ltr 17 Mer 49 RQS-4th 557 Incls AEC Ltr 22 Mar 49 in dup w/Incl HILL-5577 Distribution Addressee File Cl Doc Lib [PAGE 87] NW 91526 [PAGE 88] THIS DOCUMENT iore NG thon OF a lbuquerque Me noted and are SHORT TITLE S4/2-9- NW 91526 [PAGE 89] FAIAGH Gat wl dA UD ace some reenetn [PAGE 90] 18 February 1949 REPORT OF TRIP TO LOS ALAMOS NEW MEXICO 16 FEBRUARY 1949 BY COMMANDER RICHARD MANDELKORN U.S.N RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION SANDIA BASE Subject Project “Grudge” Om 16 February a conference was held at Los Alamos to consider the so-called green fireball phenomena which commenced about December 1948 The following were present For Los Alamos Mr Ne Bradbury Mr Marshall Holloway Mr Fred Reines Mi John Manley Mr Edward Teller Mr Elmo Morgan AEC Mr Sidney ‘oar’ Security Mr Maxwell AESS Mr Hoyt the Fourth Army Major William A Godsoe Major Wynn the Air Force Captain Neef the University of New Mexico Dr Lincoln LaPaz Sandia Base Commander Richard Mandelkorn Captain Neef opened the meeting by saying that the problem was being presented to Los Alamos scientists in hopes that they would be able to indicate some mode of attack on the problem and offer some explana Vv tions for the phenomena observed He stated that this question had been classified military SECRET under the name Project “Grudge“ and that the investigation was now the primary responsibility of USAF Air Materiel Command He then turned over the discussion to Dr LaPaze jORT TITLE sBRD<6- 27/73 NW 91526 [PAGE 91] lA Report of Trip to Los Alamos 16 Feb 49 Cont 18 February 1949 Dr LaPaz stated that he had been assisting the Military for the past two months at their request in the investigation of the subject problem and went on with the general discussion of phenomena attending normal meteorite fall postulating the following important character istics Random path of fall Color and intensity variations in light emitted Sound Frightened animals Dr laPaz then went on to discuss the number of observers re- porting the subject phenomena and the diversity of their backgrounds including commercial airlines pilots military pilots special intelligence agents Los Alamos personnel Mr Hoyt and himself as well as various and sundry previously uninformed citizens Dr LaPaz then described the “Starvation Peak Incident which he observed himself detailing the following characteristics which indicate that the phenomenon can not be classified as a normal meteorite fail ae Initial bright light no period of intensity increase and constant intensity during the duration of the phenomenon be Yellow-green color about 5,200 angstroms ce Essentially horizontal path de Trajectory traversed at constant angular velocity ee Duration about ‘two seconds No accompanying noise Since about December 1948 there have been more than ten in cidents analogous to the “green fireball“ described and some twenty more presenting minor deviations to the above which should be considerod in connection with them In addition there have been a number of normal shooting stars and meteors observed There ensued a general discussion in which it wes brought up that the majority of the observers whose reports were here under consideration were not subject to previous psychological infiuences or prior knowledge as to what they should iook for Furthermore “seeing” conditions for meteor observation throughout the continental United States were at least as NW 91526 [PAGE 92] Report of Trip to Los Alamos 16 Feb 49 Conte 18 February 1949 average during December January and February yet no green fireballs have been reported in any other areas They seemed to be confined to the Los Alamos Las Vegas and West Texas triangle Mr Teller then took over the discussion and showed that a material object travelling with the velocity of the subject phenomenon about eight miles per second would have to have a mass of about twenty grams assuming all the kinetic energy could be converted to jist under the assumption that the light output is in the vicinity of 10° ergs per second He then went on to show that the shock wave produced by the passage of an object of these dimensions or greater passing through the atmosphere at a height of eight to ten miles the observer figures with a velocity of eight miles per second would produce a loud noise easily audible ten kilometers from the source No sound has been observed Therefore Mr Teller has the tentative opinion they are not material objects passing through the air We should look to electronics and optics for an explanation rather than in the fieid of hydrodynamics In any event it was apparently agreed by those present that it was almost incredible that a large object such as a guided missile or informer vehicle could pass through the atmosphere at a height of eight miles at a velocity of seven to eight miles per second without producing a loud noise which would have been audible to observers Mr Bradbury demurred so fer as the electronic explanation was concerned saying if it were assumed thet the answer lay in that region many more difficult problems would -have to be solved The following action seems in order a Recalculation of the data outlined by Mr Teller with a more accurate treatment to verify his tentative conclusions be The establishment of well-equipped and organized observation stations to give as thorough photometric and photographic coverage as is possible in the geographic area involved ce Assuming that Mr Teller's theories are borne out by re=- caiculation deciassification of the Project to permit participation and thinking by scientists throughout the country 10 Dr LaPaz and Captain Neef have fruitlessly attempted to obtain information from a meteorite observers group now at White Sands said to be performing work under contract for the Navy Commander Mandelkorn offered to assist them in their endeavor to enlist the services of the group for observations in connection with Project “Grudge” ll Conclusion It is my belief that these phenomena particularly if there are any further incidents are deserving of serious consideration See next pagee NW 91526 [PAGE 93] Report of Trip to Los Alamos 16 Feb 49 Cont 18 February 1949 until their source and meaning have been satisfactorily explained Although Mr Teller's discussion tends to disprove the hypothesis that guided missiles or informer vehicles are responsible there is cause for concern of the continued occurrences of unexplainable phenomena of this nature in the vicinity of sensitive installations Captain Neef reports blue fireball visible from Sandia at 0530 17 February 1949 and a yellow-orange cigar-shaped light at 1759 visible until 1806 17 February Richard Mandelkorn RICHARD MANDELKORN Commander U.S.N Copy Furnished Fourth Army Major William A Godsoe USAF Captain Neef USAF FOFAE Brig Gen Howard Bunker Distribution Series Be Copy Security and Intelligence Division Sandia Base SS eae NW 91526 [PAGE 94] NW 91526 [PAGE 95] OF SOURCE OF INFORMATION COMPLETELY RELIABLE CONFIRMED BY‘OTHER SOURCES Unusual Lights USUALLY RELIABLE PROBABLY TRUE 452,1 AKADB FAIRLY RELIABLE POSSIBLY TRUE NOT USUALLY RELIABLE DOUBTFULLY TRUE IMPROBABLE RELIABILITY UNKNOWN ‘TRUTH CANNOT BEJUDGED ‘SUMMARY OF INFORMATION The following information has been received in a report from the Office of the AG of Ge2 Headquarters Armored Division Camp Hood Tems On 124947 March 1949 four unidentified lights appeared in the vicinity of 915.26 855.19 the lights noticed at this time were three yellow and one red patrol of Killeen Bese in the Area noticed two of these lights A patrol located on Crossville Mountain which consisted of four enlisted men of the Alert Foree saw four Immediate investigation in the general area failed to reveal any eause or anything which would indicate that some person or thiag had been in the area see Exhibit I Point At 18490 March 1949 another yellow light was seen in the approximate vicinity of 910,41 855,10 This light was reportedly seen by only one man There was no indication from reports that these lights were moving there was no noise and the persons reporting were unable to make an estimate of the height see Exhibit I Point At 124947 March 1949 what appeared to be blinking lights eppeared in the vicinity of the Rock Quarry located at 905,82 855,61 Investigation by the Alert Fores and patrols of Killeen Base failed to reveal any cause or person in that general area Again at 181955 March 1949 lights were seen in this general area see Exhibit I Point At March 1949 blinking lights were seen in the same general area 905,82 855.61 Investigation failed to reveal the cause of these lights All of the lights which appeared in the proximity of 905,82 $55.61 were seen by patrols located in the Area and were seen from points between 910,20 855,36 and 905.44 855.41 see Exhibit I Point Horace MeGulloch Headquarters 24 Armored Division and Mr Raynond Sechmidieke Special Agent Killeen Base spent several hours from an observation point located in the Area in an attempt to see these blinking lights DECLASSIFIED yASL6 DE Jum waar 13 DISTRIBUTION DT GSUSAs CG AMC Wright-Patterson AFB GG Sandia Base OSI Kirtland AYB File en ee sedaamee:s rn’ NW 91526 [PAGE 96] TANK DESTROYER GENTER CAMP HOOD TEXAS SCALE 1:62,500 FIRST EDITION 1943 NW 91526 [PAGE 97] SUMMARY OF INFORMATION TB Merch 1949 Sfiiee of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas SUBJECT CODE FOR USE IN INDIVIDUAL PARAGRAPH EVALUATION OF SOURCE OF INFORMATION UNUSUAL LIGHTS COMPLETELY RELIABLE CONFIRMED BY OTHER SOURCES USUALLY RELIABLE PROBABLY TRUE 452.1 AKADB FAIRLY RELIABLE POSSIBLY TRUE NOT USUALLY RELIABLE DOUBTFULLY TRUE UNRELIABLE IMPROBABLE RELIABILITY UNKNOWN ‘TRUTH CANNOT BE JUDGED ‘SUMMARY OF INFORMATION Bight moving lights appeared in the atmosphere over or in the vicinity of the area AFSWP Camp Hood Texas on the evening of 17 March 1919 At the time of these sightings the alert guard of the 2nd Armored Division under the Assistant AC of of Camp Hood was in the area concerned and prepared to fire flares and record instrument readings of elevation and azimuth The purpose was to check the powers of observation of observers who had previously reported the phenomena observed on 6-7-8 March 19/9 and heretofore reported in Summary of Information this headquarters dated 17 March 1919 subjects Unusual Lights However before this operation could be begun the series of unusual lights appeared Coordinates of lights and time of sighting follows Coordinates Time le 910.40 855.1 1952 910.39 860.13 1958 Be 910.12 860.1 lye 910.38 860.15 Be 910.32 855.20 be 910.30 855.17 Ts 910.36 855.06 910.37 855.35 2152 i Coordinates were based on dual sightings of each light by sights on tanks of observers Time was clocked at instant of sighting Captain MoCullough the Assistant personally observed three of the lights Physical character- isties of these lights were reported as quite different from those reported on 67=8 March 19),9 One burst into a green cluster One was reddish another white One observer described some of them as similar to Very Pistol flares While this phenomena was occurring a security detachment from the area arrived in the vicinity of the alert crew from the 2nd Armored Division DISTRIBUTION AGO FORM GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—53396-1 NW 91526 [PAGE 98] Are oe on wy SUMMAR INFORMATION DATE 18 Merch 19,9 PREPARING OFFICE Office of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas SUBJECT i OF SOURCE COMPLETELY RELIABLE UNUSUAL LIGHTS USUALLY RELIABLE NOT USUALLY RELIABLE UNRELIABLE RELIABILITY UNKNOWN CODE FOR USE IN INDIVIDUAL PARAGRAPH EVALUATION 45201 AKADB FAIRLY RELIABLE se es OF INFORMATION CONFIRMED BY OTHER SOURCES PROBABLY TRUE POSSIBLY TRUE DOUBTFULLY TRUE IMPROBABLE TRUTH CANNOT BE JUDGED SUMMARY OF INFORMATION is attacheds EXHIBIT I Tt was thon determined that no one in the area wes responsible for the phenomenae area then went on alert status Ordnance check has shown that nothing in the way of pyrotechnic mispiles has been issued or used in monthse Investigation of whole area by ground crews is being made and additional reports will be rendereds As in the case of the 6-7-8 March lights those of the 17th bracket the area One group of lights being Morth of the area and one group of lights just South of the erea Overlay showing locations Federal Bureau of Investigation San Antonio Texas Office of Naval Intelligence San Antonio Texas have been notified Director of Intelligence Air Materiel Command Office of Special Investigations Kirtland Air Force Base and Commanding General Sandia Base are on distribution of this Summarye DISTRIBUTION Bases File FBI Santexs ONI Santexs DI GSUSAs OG AMO OSI Kirtland AFB CG Sandia nn a GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—53396-1 NW 91526 [PAGE 99] MaP TANK DESTROYER CENTER CaMP HOOD TEXAS SCALE 1:62500 Fire6 Edition 1943 a a Pa fe CS cS uy oO fen 850000 Yards NW 91526 [PAGE 100] in Ve My hak ae ioe rg SS eee Ee ee [PAGE 101] 45201 AKADB 17 March 1919 SUBJECT Unusual Lights Commanding General Sandia Base Pe Box 5100 Albuquerque Now Mexico ATTN AC of The attached Suumry of Information this office subject as above 16 March 1919 re reports of “lights” observed over Camp Hood Texas is forwarded in duplicate for your information and eny action deened necessary FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL Imel dup BUSTIS POLAND As stated w/EXHIBITS II Colonel GSC Iti and Iv AC of Ye NW-91526 [PAGE 102] SUMMARY OF INFORMATION Merch 1919 PREPARING OFFICE Office of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas SUBJECT CODE FOR USE IN INDIVIDUAL PARAGRAPH EVALUATION OF SOURCE OF INFORMATION Unusual Lights COMPLETELY RELIABLE eee CONFIRMED BY OTHER SOURCES USUALLY RELIABLE PROBABLY TRUE 45201 AKADB FAIRLY RELIABLE POSSIBLY TRUE NOT USUALLY RELIABLE DOUBTFULLY TRUE IMPROBABLE RELIABILITY UNKNOWN ‘TRUTH CANNOT BEJUDGED ‘SUMMARY OF INFORMATION Following is an interim summary predicated on request of the Fourth Amy Liaison Officer at Sandia Base for this headquarters to investigate and report on fireball phenomena reported to the Commanding General Sandia Base by AFSWP installation at Camp Hood Texas Report stated that several sightings of wmusual light phenomena in the atmosphere above Site Baker Area had been mde by security personnel there during the period March 1919 certain as to time it is possible that observation reported within the same hour on the same date are duplications It should be noted that none of the observers been instructed to look for or stated without equivocations that the reported phonomena All claimed night on the Camp Hood Reservations but stating that this phenawena was quite different All men were ce that they would be questioned spot where the observations had been on map Camp Hood and vicinity and a copy is hereto attached The surveying instrument brought along for the purpose origin and of termination of the phenamena Vertical angles end magnetic azimuth of each point was then recorded In most cases the observer was able to fix azimuths by some terrain features Vertical angles were of course estimated except where elevations of observations coincided with ridge on tree lines Observations on March 1919 le From observation point see attached overlay Se Location of points 909.7 857.5 Time 2100 hours be Weather Overcast see attached weather report Ge Witnesses Sgt Hubert Vickery AF 34952926 ist Provost Security Sq Killeen Base Camp Hood Texas John Cs Ge a AF 1525281 pisTaBUTION ASDL GSUSAg 2=OG Sandia Base 1-OSI AFB File oe SHORT a tped Fass Pass hie U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—53396-1 [PAGE 103] 8/1 Offiee of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Amsy Fort Sem Houston Texas 46 March 1919 subj Unusual Lighte de Object sighted Muaber Shape Oblong Size Described as “about ft by ft” Golor Pale blue-white light Speeds Not kom Direction From 74° to Nw 61° Ww Menguverability No deviation from course Altitude Fron above horizon to 1,5 above Sound Nene 10 ‘Wxhaust trail Sct Vickery reports nome Pfo Ransom reported faint pinkish red trail extending about three times the length of the body From observation point see attached overlay Qe Logetion of points Qllije5 855.73 Times About 2020 hours be Weathers Overcast sec attached weather report Ge Witnesses Pvt Martin Fensterman US 57122075 L2nd AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas Pvt Frank MMI Luisi US 57100167 42 AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas ds Object sighted Maaber Shape Ball like flesh Size Looked like basketball Golers Pale blue-white light Speed Not knowm Divection 10° HM Maneuverability None--was a “fixed flash Altitude 59° above horizon 33 Sound None 20 Exhaust trail lone Vv fe NW 91526 [PAGE 104] 8/1 Office of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas 16 March 1919 subj Unusual Lights” From observation point see attached overlay Loention 9lje5 956.15 Times About 2015 hours Weathers Overcast see attached weather report Witness Pvt Harold Moore US 57110066 l2nd AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas Object sighted Humber Shapes Roundish head with traéil Size About 10° in Color Light colored head orange trail Speed Not known Direction From 81° to 60° Meneouverability Ho deviation from course Altitude From 21° above horigon to 31 above Seund None Bxhaust trail Orange trail about 10° long Remarks Appeared to be going over area Observations on March 191,92 From observation point see attached overlay Locations 91.5 855.73 Timez O115 hours be Weathers Clear see attached weather report Gs Witness Pio Robert Gerdmer Black US §7112155 k2nd AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas Object sighted Number Shapes Like flash bulb Size Flash bulb Colors Brilliant blue-white Speed Hone Direction Maneuverability None=-fixed flash Altitude 66° 15 above horizon Sound lone Exhaust treil None oronrye NW 91526 [PAGE 105] 8/1 Office of the AC of Hondquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Toxs 16 March 1919 subj Unum Lights” 11 Remarks ‘This observer is Harvard te Used stars to mark bearing and elevation of sighting ted he had never seen anything like this phenomena before From observation point see attached overlay Loontion Gi5el 856.13 Times O115 0150 hours Weather Glear see attached weather report Witmess Pvt Paul Bryant US 57201,806 i2nd AIB Company A Comp Sood Texas Object sighted Mmber Shapes Like flash bulb Sises Basketball Colors Bright blue-white Speeds lone Direction 16° Maneuverability None-~fixed flash Altitudes 27° 50° above horizon Sound lione 20 Exhaust treil None Fron observation point see attached overlay Location 91.6 856.73 Time 0150 0200 hours Weather Clear see attached weather report Witnesses Pvt Francesca NMI Lonardo US 57175045 land AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas Pvt Savino Ee Digni US 57175036 42nd AIB Company A Camp dood Texas Objeot sighted mayer aa like flesh Ds Like flash bulb dy Cahors Bluish white NW 91526 [PAGE 106] Ag Offi00 of the AC of Hondquarters fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas 16 March 1919 subj “Unusual Lights Soa 20° £23 Maneuverability None~«fixed flash Altitude 26° above horizon ies Bahaust por Hone ke Prom observation point see attached overlay Location 909.0 856.9 Time O1;5 hours be Weathers Glear see attached weather report Ge Witness Pfc Max Bugene Manlove AF 151,18997 lst Provost Security Sq Camp Hood Texas Object sighted Wmber Shape Teardrop Sizes “About ft by rt” Colors Orange Speed Not known Direction 60° Maneuverability io deviation Altitude when first seen--dropped vertically Sound None Exheust trail fone Remarks Witness said this “light” dropped vortically te ground and disappeared behind trees directly in front of him In view “about seconds 10 oO Observations on March 19:9 i From observetion point see attached overlay Se Location 914.5 855.7 ‘Times About 0103 hours be Weather Clear sce attached weather report Witmess Pvt Charlie Payne US 57211002 42nd AIB Company A Camp Hood Texas NW 91526 [PAGE 107] s/t Offices 16 March 1919 de of the AG of Headquarters Fourth Arny Fort Sam Houston Texas subj “Unusual Lights Object sighted Momber Shape Roundish head with hazy suoke trail Sise Not known Color Pale white light at head Speeds Not known Direction From 56° to 54° Maneuverability No deviation Altitude From 98° above horizon to 54° above Sounds None Exheust treil Left hazy white smoke trail Remarks Travelled in arc and visible “long enough to @nap your fingers Prom observation point see attached overlay Be De location QilwS 856,73 ‘Timer About 0103 Weather Clear see attached weather report Op Luke Burke Sims BA 3675316 Compeny A 42né AIB Camp Hood Texes Object sighted i Manber Shape Lemon with tail Size Not known Color Pale reddish nose whitish red trail Speed Not known but very fast Direction Prom 56° to Maneuverability No deviation Altitudes Fron 15 above horizon at beginning and end of arcs Sound None Bxheust trail whitish red trail Remarks Good observers Stated that light started from point above horizon then erced upward and dow to 15° when it diseppeared Wes perfect arc He was able to rum 10 paces toward field telephone to report light before it vanishode The following ineident may or may not be connesteds At about 1930 hours on March 19,9 flashlight ws seen moving about the Area fence line near the Tt could not be told by the observer whether the light was within or air strip i NW'94 [PAGE 108] Office of the AC of Headquarters Fourth Army Fort Sam Houston Texas 16 March 191,9 subj “Umisual Lights” without the fences The Security Officer of Site Baker is investigating Me stated the light was not carried by any of the AFSHP personnel Investigation continues in an effort to determine cause of the “lights.” Last information is that 52 trip flares have been put into the general area by the 2nd Armored Division and that some may have been set off by wild animals Subse quent sumaary will be rendered when more exact evidence on flares is cbtained It is presently known however that these flares explode on the ground and do not shoot into the air Wo conclusion is drem fran the data on attached overlay other than to note that the “lights” form a rough cirele about the Area Gopy of surface weather observations for Camp Hood on the and March 19),9 are attached as a possible eid in analysis This report covers only day hours since the USAF weather service at Camp Hood closes at 1700 hours and opens st 0730 hours 3-2 EXHIBIT I Overlay Tank Destroyer Center Camp Nood Texas EXHIBIT II Weather Report March 1919 Camp Hood Texas EXHIBIT III Weather Report March 1919 Camp Hood Texas EXHIBIT IV Weather Report Mereh 191,9 Camp Hood Texas NW 91526 [PAGE 109] LENGTH OF RAY LINES DOES NOT INDICATE DISTANCE FROM OBSERVATION POINT TO OBJECT DISTANCE FROM OBSERVATION POINT TO OBJECT IS UNKNOWN 865 GREEN DESIGNATES OBJECTS SIGHTEL MARCH 1949 RED MARGH 1949 BLUE MARCH i949 mar f/f MOVING OBLONG FIRE BODY WITHOUT TRAIL FIXED FLASH MOVING FIRE BALL MOVING OBLONG FIRE BODY WITH TRAIL 1.0.— INITIAL OBSERVATION T.0—TERMINAL OBSERVATION MAR De 85CO0O TANK DESTROYER CENTER GAMP HOOD TEXAS SCALE 1:62 800 ae FIRST EDITION 1943 LINES AS SHOWN ON OVERLAY HAVE BEEN CONVERTED FROM MAGNETIG TO GRID AZIMUTH NW 91526 [PAGE 110] a WYCVELIC LO @HID Pant ied TIME 2HOMU ON yes COMAEMLED wow bike EOLLTOU lags i 2evre 5200 AVMK DESAMOAGK CEMLEM CV HOOD’ LExve LO—-LEBWIMUT OB2EBAYLION VO—WILIVT OB@EHAVLION WONG OBFOVe kiME BODA MiLH LKVIr oot WOAMG MBE Burr EIXED E&P Vek WOAIMC OBOE LIKE BODA AILHONL WYUCH boImML LO OBIECL 12 AYKVONM OBZEBAYLION bOIML LO OBIECL’ Dian LUO OBeEUAWLION rEWeLH OF BM riMEe ff OF2” Ol i IMDIONRE DIZIVUCE BOW Pi [PAGE 111] US ave AIR WEATHER» SERVICE SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS NW 91526 [PAGE 112] a i se [PAGE 113] Tine eosin om ew toro re 26 US AF AIR WEATHER SERVICE Te comet wacr oe EP Ty SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS Teew LATHER Amo even COSTRCTORS pera 10 wom ne [PAGE 114] ny Wis hy cp iy A phe toh we Te te gg my Sg ssa [PAGE 115] US A FAIR WEITHER SERVICE SURFAGE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS wnen FORM 108 ca aus bane temo Lave® in and pm Ale 230 2,090 A Pwo Sy me lw hom ws S07 Joos 1094 A/F W130 226 wi fv Zl 3/0 al N72 133° WY PUY FAO WY “reo wy SSSegnane Obs ei Sv.Y jou $20 1/098 STH WsOl sl 60,0 sto WY i/o St Ti Fir 62.0 Fr SeP'E/O FF St F20 63.0 barf Ac Fao Heys “CMORES SOTES ano sweet NW 01526 [PAGE 116] een